Newcastle star Joe Willock was stretchered off during the closing stages of Newcastle's pre-season friendly against the K-League XI in South Korea. The midfielder collided with an opponent in a tackle and then needed help leaving the pitch.

The ex-Arsenal midfielder immediately signalled to dugout that he was in pain as he held the back of ankle. The medical team were quick to him and a stretcher was then needed to get him off the pitch.

The incident occurred in the final stages of the friendly, which the Premier League side lost 1-0. Newcastle will now be sweating on Willock's fitness with the season beginning in less than three weeks.

Eddie Howe said on the injury: "I don't have a major update yet but it didn't look great on the pitch. But at this moment, it doesn't look like a major, major injury. And fingers crossed it's not, because Joe has suffered enough. Hopefully he's OK"

His side begin their campaign away at Aston Villa on August 16. Willock was a regular last season, making 41 appearances across all competitions for Newcastle.

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It has been a hugely challenging summer for the Magpies boss, who has just got the club back into the Champions League after a year away. His squad looks to have been dealt a major injury blow, all while Howe is struggling to get new faces through the door and fighting to retain Alexander Isak.

The Swede has expressed a desire to look elsewhere having established himself as the team's leading light. Newcastle had maintained that Isak was not for sale and whilst Howe admits he is not in "full control" of the player's next move, he maintains that no offer has been submitted yet.

"He is still our player. He's contracted to us," Howe said in South Korea. "We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control. We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club."

Newcastle's only major signing thus far has been Anthony Elanga, who joined from Nottingham Forest for £55million. A number of their other targets have chosen to look elsewhere though with Joao Pedro opting for a move to Chelsea.

Goalkeeper James Trafford was also on the club's radar but has just completed a switch from Burnley back to Manchester City. New Manchester United signing Bryan Mbeumo was also linked with a move to Newcastle.

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